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'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability
By Ben Smith
Scott Roberton admitted the All Blacks‘ mindset was “slightly off” as a resolute Italian side rose to the challenge in Turin to put the All Blacks under the pump.
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A shakey first 20 minutes full of errors from both sides saw Italy take a 6-3 lead as the visitors set-piece and breakdown came up the blowtorch.
The Italian pack disrupted throws at the lineout and made a mess of the ruck to create stops in the momentum before a piece of magic from Cam Roigard gave New Zealand some breathing room.
Up 10-6 another strike to Will Jordan on half-time created a buffer heading into the second half but it took until the 70th minute to find the next score.
“That’s why we named the team we did,” Robertson said after the win to Sky Sport NZ.
“When they’re on, they’re on. They are physical. They, you know, a 65 metre field with a little bit of a grease on that. They got double shoulders on us.
“Our mindset was slightly off. They smelt it.
“We found a way in this one. We showed a lot of composure. The set-piece went to work. And just good, big moments put pressure back on them.”
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The scrum was one of the shining lights for the All Blacks, winning seven penalties to release pressure and win field position.
Two try assists from Beauden Barrett and his night cap try 90 seconds from full-time finished off the Italians.
The All Blacks finished their first year under Scott Robertson with 10 wins and four losses for a return of 71 per cent, although crucially lost the Rugby Championship trophy for the first time since 2019.
“We’ve had three games won on small moments. Big moments in Test matches could’ve gone the other way,” he said reflecting on the season.
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“Look, I’m so proud of the mindset and the growth of the group. We done so much to play some unbelievable footy, but test footy is about key moments, making the right decisions and finding a way, we just haven’t quite got that.
“It’s a tight group off and on the field, and we are just that far away. I’m learning. We’re learning. And we are getting better.”
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Selections were Razors biggest problem, to many player's who haven't been performing weren't dropped, Dmac played like he does for the chiefs, Reiko can't pass or read play Sam at best should have been 6 if not dropped to bench, wasted season 🤔.
Apart from Argentina loss, Ill take the season. Let's judge on RC next year
We should of beaten Italy much much easier and further.
Was lucky England lost the game - they should have beaten us ans were the better team on the field.
We also caught Ireland on a night where they were playing terrible footy.
Time for Razor to go before it’s too late. Test rugby is levels of magnitude up from Super rugby, and one simply does not make that transition with a snap of a finger. Boy is out of his depth and is hurting NZ rugby…
Why would you see him go instead of give him that time though?
Italy are a good side this year. Aside from big losses to Argentina and Ireland, they beat Scotland and Wales, drew with France, lost by 3 points to England nothing to be too worried about
Don't be condescending, theyv'e been a good side fo a few years now.
SR is afraid of failure, thats why he keep on picking the same shitty backline
I'm not even going to bother reading the article. It's BS from BS as usual. One loss with 1 point isn't a car crash. A game of small margins that went the way of France. Doesn't erase the growth and hard work of the AB's this season. First season with a new coach and a new system.
No one really cares or will remember this loss. WC still 3 years away and by then they will be a settled team. Very hard to beat. This is just another click bait article most likely and more than willing to give it a skip
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Yeah needed that try much sooner.
I agree with a B+ rating for the ABs this year. That is a pass mark in a transition season. A new coach, loss of senior players, injuries, some bizarre refereeing calls at times and sometimes unlucky rubs of the green all conspired to deprive this side of the perfect record. I foresee better results next year. No panic just yet.
I’d give it a B or maybe B -
Good development of players but similar late fades in several games
Overall a lot of good things to progress
A messy season capped off with a politically laden, woke haka and the worst performance. Time to swab the deck clean of wokeism over the summer break as the Boks aren't going anywhere and are genuinely getting considerably better rather than just saying they are. Allblacks have butter fingers.
I expected a larger win than this and the ABs were off slightly whilst the rested Italians were well up for this and gave a real committed performance
Frustrating but a lot of those ABs forwards have done huge minutes this tour and Italy are not the side from the World Cup
Remember they beat wales and Scotland in the 6N
Drew with France and lost to England by 3
Needing to select those players champing at the bit for a chance to play.
Italy more recently just came off a 3 point win to Georgia and before that a thumping from Argentina so not sure they are anywhere near their 6N form though.
Those who smelt it dealt it.
They painted themselves in a corner because if they denied it, then they would have deemed to have had supplied it.
Since the Saffas pulled out of super rugby ABs and Wallabies have become weaker
Not proven in the results CT.
Not a disaster or anything, but extremely disappointing to end the season like that.
Massive credit to Italy for turning up, shame the All Blacks didn’t match the intent of their opposition.
Shthouse all round.
I saw a stupid statistic trotted out on Sky Sport comparing the win % of the last 4 ABs coaches first 14 tests. Fair enough I thought.
Ted & Shag were both about 85% I think, Foster at 78% & Razor at 71%. The implication was, of course, that Razor hadn't done as well as the others. A closer look though shows Foster's first 14 tests were v AUS (7) ARG (4) FIJ (2) & TON (1). There was no explanation about this, despite the obvious discrepancy rendering the "statistics" completely useless.
Not good enough Goldie, Kristie, whoever dreamt up this fiasco.
I think the ABs performances have been quite poor this year, but any comparison to previous regimes has to be in the context of the opposition. This is the toughest year I can remember the ABs every playing, also the most tests they have ever played in a year too I believe. Foster's 14 tests you list above were played over 18 months or more as well, Razor's over just 5 months.
It really showed in the Italy game, and was a good advertisement for why more fresh players should have been used in that fixture.
Yeah absolutely nonsensical comparison
Sky's products are really bad. Expect this Saders!
A messy season. New coaches, systems, philosophies it was always a start if something new. But I'm disappointed at how players who continue to not come up with the goods are retained and most if not all debuts were down to injuries rather than inspired selection. This season was the honeymoon, more has to be delivered next year.
It's a growing team and players need to find their feet in this new system. A bit harsh after all the hard work this AB's team put in this year. Only a fool expects any new team to suddenly be the golden team who is undefeatable.
I think all you need to do is look at Aus to see where the big issue is for the ABs. Aus can turn a world cup pool failure to beating England in the same time Razor has taken the ABs from a 1 point loss in the WC last year to an absolute rabble this year. ABs won 91-17 v Italy last year with our so called B side. This was Razors strongest side yet were terrible. They look like they met yesterday.
I think Razor picked an ABs team to play the Italy team that beat both Scotland & Wales, drew with France, & were pipped by England, in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year. Because that's the way they brought it to us. Well done Azzuri, well done All Blacks.
I thought they were very inept Sadersman. That was a horrible performance and just adds to the year where just when we think they are improving they do this. Look at the way Schmidt has turned Aus around. Perhaps NZR made the wrong choice.
Yeah I predicted (out of thin air) it to be more like 30 points between them. You don't think it wasn't more like that because they picked jaded players?
Will have a look at the game now I guess.